Class of 2016

Background

We have been assisting with peregrine falcon recovery since the early 1990s to help re-establish the raptor that had seen its population decimated during the 1960s. Estimated nesting pairs in the U.S. dropped from thousands to just a few hundred. Though not the sole reason for the decline, the pesticide DDT, which passed through the food chain to the peregrines, weakened the shells of eggs, leading to the loss of many young before they could hatch.

With the curtailment of chemical pesticides and the success of nest boxes on our power plants and other locations, peregrine falcons are making an impressive recovery. Since the beginning of our program, more than 200 peregrines have hatched at our nest boxes, which is about 20 percent of the total produced in Wisconsin.

You can watch our falcons during nesting season, typically March through July, checking hourly snapshots from our webcams. We also provide live video of one of nest boxes when we have some eggs that are about ready to hatch.

Hourly snapshots

View hourly webcam images of nesting and caring for young – typically March through July.